Trees or shrubs with red sap. Leaves simple, in two rows, often with stellate or dendroid hairs creating a whitish lower leaf surface; margin entire; stipules absent. Inflorescences axillary, paniculate or racemose (capitulate, umbellate, etc.). Flowers unisexual (male and female flowers on different plants), small. Tepals 3(-5), basally connate. Stamens many, filaments united into a column. Ovary superior, 1-locular, style very short or lacking, stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a more or less woody capsule, dehiscing with 2 valves. Seed with large, fleshy, dissected or entire aril, usually red, endosperm ruminate.
General info
Distribution About 19 genera with c. 400 species, widespread in (sub)tropical lowland, regions of the world. Ecology Understorey to mid-canopy trees in closed forests. Uses Timber (Horsfieldia spp., Myristica spp.); Spices like nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). Similar to The Myristicaceae may be confused with Annonaceae, but can be distinguished by the fruits and the red sap.
Family description
Trees or shrubs with red sap.Leaves simple, in two rows, often with stellate or dendroid hairs creating a whitish lower leaf surface; margin entire; stipules absent.
Inflorescences axillary, paniculate or racemose (capitulate, umbellate, etc.).
Flowers unisexual (male and female flowers on different plants), small. Tepals 3(-5), basally connate. Stamens many, filaments united into a column. Ovary superior, 1-locular, style very short or lacking, stigma 2-lobed.
Fruit a more or less woody capsule, dehiscing with 2 valves. Seed with large, fleshy, dissected or entire aril, usually red, endosperm ruminate.
General info
Distribution About 19 genera with c. 400 species, widespread in (sub)tropical lowland, regions of the world.Ecology Understorey to mid-canopy trees in closed forests.
Uses Timber (Horsfieldia spp., Myristica spp.); Spices like nutmeg (Myristica fragrans).
Similar to The Myristicaceae may be confused with Annonaceae, but can be distinguished by the fruits and the red sap.
Treated genera
Myristicaceae.pdf
Horsfieldia grandis
Knema laurina